RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it received the Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office on its unique self-delivering RNAi compounds (sd-rxRNA(R)), for the treatment of fibrosis. The patent covers the use of sd-rxRNAs targeting CTGF, including RXI-109, for the treatment of fibrotic disorders. The patent, once issued, will be scheduled to expire in 2029.

RXi Pharmaceuticals' first clinical program involves RXI--109, a self-delivering RNAi compound (sd--rxRNA(R)) developed for the reduction of dermal scarring. RXI--109 is designed to reduce the expression of CTGF, a critical regulator of biological pathways involved in fibrosis, including scar formation in the skin. The first clinical trials with RXI--109 showed excellent safety and tolerability with ascending single and multiple doses, as well as dose dependent effects on the Connective Tissue Growth Factor protein and on the mRNA that controls production of this protein.

RXi's sd--rxRNA oligonucleotides are designed for therapeutic use and have drug-like properties, such as high potency, target specificity, serum stability, reduced immune response activation, and efficient cellular uptake. These hybrid oligonucleotide molecules combine the beneficial properties of conventional RNAi and antisense technologies. This allows sd--rxRNAs to achieve efficient cellular uptake and potent, long-lasting intracellular activity.